120 years of railway history on Monte Generoso

Monte Generoso has made a contribution to railway history. Dating from 1890, the first trains to go up were pushed by steam locomotives built by SLM of Winterthur. From the early 50s, the carriages dating from 1890 were, instead, pushed by two tractors with diesel engines, built by the Saurer company. In the late 50s, two motor coaches built by SIG and also diesel powered, were brought into service with Büssig engines. At the end of the 60s, two light motor coaches were built in the railway’s own workshops and powered by Caterpillar diesel engines. Electrification was provided in the early 80s by Siemens and Kümmler & Matter leading to the introduction of four motor coaches with electric traction, which are still in service and were built by SLM of Winterthur with Siemens engines. There are also two tractors still in service that continue to drive two of the old carriages from 1890. Several times a year a steam train is put into circulation and one of the original old carriages is pushed by locomotive number 2, dating back to the day the line opened. It is the oldest steam locomotive still in operation in Switzerland!